Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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66 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Bible of Medicine, February 13, 2003
Dubbed the Bible of Medicine, the Merck manual is a book condensed enough to cover all the major aspects of of medicine in a text written that even though is targeted towards health care practitioners, can also be used by that layman. Written first at the end of the 19th century, the manual covers nearly most of everything in the medical field. From why epilepsy occurs to that dreadful itchy rash, the topics are concise, up to the point and easy to understand. Even though a home edition exists, the black book can be used by educated people to know anything they would like to know, with the exception of surgery.The book is divided into an alphabetical scheme, where all the topics are featured in that order. However that can be confusing as such since the subtopics are not arranged that way. Case in point, if you wanted to search for Candidiasis of the skin, you should not search under C, but S for skin disorders and then follow things through. This can be confusing at first, but then again, this is not an encyclopedia or dictionary of medical terms. The great thing about the book is the way everything is covered in the basic schema of background, signs and symptoms and then therapy. This helps people understand the topic in the right sense and actually makes it stick to your mind for a long time. The book is also good enough to mention the doses of the drugs used to treat an ailment. No medical clinician should be out there practicing without the Merck Manual on his desk. This is a quick reference that is essential in the day of evidence based medicine and where the patient is educated enough to be a part of his or her treatment plan and not just the silent recepient. The book can be found in the hard copy format and is available for the PALM, which makes it the best reference carried in a doctor's pocket. Very Highly Recommended!!!
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96 of 102 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best edition of the best medical reource available, March 17, 1999
By A Customer
I have purchased every edition of The Merck Manual starting with the 10th edition. They all have been the best medical information resource available at the time. The new, 17th edition, has surpassed all past editions. The typeface has been improver (made larger), the layout of topics has been changed for the better and the writing style has been made more lay person reader friendly. In sum, the best has got even better.
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44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why do so few people own and use this book?, September 19, 2003
This book has been a classic and a mirror on medical knowledge
since its first publication in 1899. By studying the various
editions of the very many years it has been in existance, you obtain a look into the past and evolution of human knowledge.
The publication is regularly issued and is now it its 17th edition.
As the very many other reviews have stated it is an incomparable work for its small overall dimensions containing over 2832 pages in an easy to carry design and format. The paper is of high quality, very thin and long lasting capable of withstanding much abuse.
The breadth of the subject matter contained therein is beyond the reach of most other medical books except perhaps the excellent medical text entitled "Wilderness Medicine" authored by Auerbach. However the extremely well done full size Auerbach publication is not something you would carry while the Merck Manual is just for that type of instant reference, easy carry availability.
While the Merck Manual is not and does not pretend to discuss surgery in any depth nor teach any surgical procedures it certainly indicates when surgery is a treatment and does discuss various surgical therapy. An example is Hydrocephalus where within a short space accurate and useful discussion is imparted as to etiology and surgical remedies.
This book also contains excellent chapters on Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacology. This is unusual in a general medical text. There are very few medical conditions not addressed in this publication.
I do not understand why in the United States the Merck Manual is not found on the desk of most physicians. Perhaps its extraordinary overall scope is not as useful as more targeted texts to the specialty practiced. Certainly specialized publications, which Merck is not, are the method to conduct in depth research but to have in such a simple one volume format a fully comprehensive general medical text is a pleasure to possess and use.
Every medical practitioner should own one. For those who love well done books, it makes wonderful recreational reading as does the Auerbach Wilderness Medicine. Another book to keep nearby is DeGowin and Degowin's "Bedside Diagnostic Examination" which easily fits in a coat pocket.
Kenneth Ellman
email:ke@kennethellman.com
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